A CLUSTER APPROACH IN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE IRRIGATION ZONE

Abstract

The article substantiates the necessity of using a cluster approach in integrated water resource management in irrigation zones as a modern tool for increasing their efficiency and ensuring the sustainable development of the agricultural sector. The prerequisites for the emergence of clustering as a form of organizing economic relationships are revealed, along with its theoretical foundations and foreign experience, which confirm the effectiveness of this approach in the fields of industry, innovation, and natural resource management. It is determined that in the context of modern challenges—climate change, war damage, and energy threats—traditional water resource management methods have proven to be insufficiently effective. Therefore, there is a need to implement new models of cooperation among state institutions, businesses, scientific institutions, and local communities. The problems of irrigated agriculture in the southern regions of Ukraine are systematized, and the role of clusters in overcoming them is defined. It is substantiated that clusters provide an opportunity to create a multi-level interaction platform that ensures the synergy of participants' interests and resources to solve complex tasks, such as modernizing water management infrastructure, attracting investments, and implementing innovative technologies. The article proposes three key directions for creating clusters: forming a safe environment for agricultural production using demining technologies; developing mechanisms for providing irrigation systems with alternative water sources; and applying renewable energy sources for the needs of pumping stations and irrigation complexes. An original model of participants in integrated water resource management clusters is presented, which defines the key entities: from agricultural enterprises and water user organizations to state bodies, banking and insurance structures, equipment manufacturers, scientific and educational institutions, and international organizations. It is revealed that such a structure ensures the complexity and coherence of actions, contributes to the effective attraction of financial and human resources, and forms the basis for innovative development.